This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7014955.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Four killed' in Gaza air strike 'Seven die' in Israeli Gaza raids
(about 1 hour later)
At least four Palestinian militants have been killed in an Israeli air strike in the northern Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials have said. At least seven Palestinians have been killed in two separate Israeli strikes in the northern Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials and witnesses have said.
The militants, believed to have been members of the Army of Islam, were driving in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City when their vehicle was hit. Four militants, believed to be members of the Army of Islam, died when a missile was fired at their vehicle as they drove through eastern Gaza City.
The Israeli military confirmed its aircraft had carried out a raid.The Israeli military confirmed its aircraft had carried out a raid.
The strike came hours after Israel warned it was on the verge of launching a large-scale incursion into Gaza. In a separate incident, Israeli tank fire killed at least three Palestinians in Beit Hanoun, local officials said.
The two strikes came hours after Israel warned it was on the verge of launching a large-scale incursion into Gaza.
"We are getting closer to carrying out a widespread operation in Gaza which, for many reasons, has not taken place in the past weeks," Defence Minister Ehud Barak told Israel's Army Radio."We are getting closer to carrying out a widespread operation in Gaza which, for many reasons, has not taken place in the past weeks," Defence Minister Ehud Barak told Israel's Army Radio.
Mr Barak said the move would be in response to continued rocket attacks by Palestinian militants and his government's desire to weaken the Islamist movement, Hamas, which seized control of the coastal territory in June.Mr Barak said the move would be in response to continued rocket attacks by Palestinian militants and his government's desire to weaken the Islamist movement, Hamas, which seized control of the coastal territory in June.
The Army of Islam is a small group that splintered from the Popular Resistance Committees in Gaza. It was responsible for holding BBC correspondent Alan Johnston hostage for 16 weeks this year. Crowded junction
Witnesses said the vehicle in which the militants were travelling was struck by an Israeli missile as it crossed a crowded intersection in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City.
The force of the explosion shattered the windows of several nearby buildings and sent shrapnel flying into other cars.
Hamas said one of those killed was Ayman Daloul, a field commander of the Army of Islam. The militants were reportedly transporting rockets.
The Army of Islam is a small Islamist group that splintered from the Popular Resistance Committees.
It was responsible for holding BBC correspondent Alan Johnston hostage for 16 weeks this year and claims to be one of three groups holding the captured Israeli soldier, Cpl Gilad Shalit.